Tweenagers

I've been taking the time to talk to my 11 year old about school, her life, her friends and things.  You might think that with 22 years separating us that things might have changed a lot since I was her age.

Actually, not so much, kids are kids and still doing the same things they have always done.  Maybe the clothes have changed, and some of the terminology has changed meaning, or some really old phrases making a comeback, but I am glad to know that I have had many of the same experiences that she is having now to help guide her through this craziness.

Right now she is looking forward to another cool freakin' birthday party thrown by none other than yours truly!  I've always tried my best to at least give her a cool party even if I can't afford to get her a cool present.  Sometimes the best present that you can give your child is popularity and friendship.

Our daughter has changed schools quite a few times in the last few years mostly because of our state to state relocation and life obstacles.  We are finally settled in a school district and so last year when I knew that we wouldn't be moving anymore for a while, we gave her a party at an amusement park with mini golf, go karts, laser tag, arcade games and the like.  We paid for her entire class to come, but only 10 kids showed up...go figure.

It was probably for the best because a few of them kept running off and what not.  That party started a trend for her though.  She has made quite a few friends since then.  The kids that did attend the party have regaled their classmates with tales of awesomeness.

This year my daughter has quite a few friends and has other kids jockeying for position to get invited to go to the next one that will most-likely be held at a Laser Tag place.  I told her she can only invite 10 kids this time, so it should be interesting to see who ends up being invited this time.

For all of you parents who have a hard time listening to your kids...please take the time and suffer through it. It's worth it!  Not only will you be more in tune with what is going on in your child's life, but later on, when they are teenagers who are too busy to spend five minutes with you, and detest your very presence in the house when their friends come over, your kid will at least stop when they pass through and give  you a kiss and say "I love you".  That's what I'm going for.  I want my daughter to still love me even when she thinks she knows more than me.